Together with Partners, TOTE Services Christens the Third National Security Multi-Mission Vessel - The State of Maine

PHILADELPHIA (August 27, 2025) -- TOTE Services, LLC, Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Maine Maritime Academy and the U.S. Maritime Administration today christened the third of five National Security Multi-Mission vessels (NSMVs), State of Maine.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Labor, Elaine Chao, served as the ship's sponsor, which is a special designation that bestows the official name of the vessel and smashes a ceremonial bottle of champagne as the 'Godmother' of the vessel.

The State of Maine will train hundreds of young sailors each year who will then go to serve in the U.S. Merchant Marine.

“Maine Maritime Academy is internationally recognized as a leader in maritime education and this vessel represents a major step forward in our mission to train the world’s finest mariners,” said Maine Maritime Academy President Craig Johnson. “As our first purpose-built training ship, the State of Maine will provide world-class learning experiences for cadets pursuing unlimited tonnage licenses. It’s a game-changer for our mission and a powerful reflection of what’s possible through strong partnerships and shared vision.”

The NSMV program marks a new era in vessel construction in the United States. These next generation ships are the result of a strategic public-private partnership that leverages the design, construction and management of the private sector with the dynamic needs of the US government. The use of TOTE Services as the vessel construction manager provides budget and schedule stability and, in the case of the NSMV program, will result in delivery of all five vessels within seven years of the contract award.

Jeff Dixon, President of TOTE Services noted, “Through President Trump’s leadership, the NSVM program - underpinned by the vessel construction management process has changed the way we build ships - reducing costs to the government and taxpayers, creating more jobs and boosting economic impact, revitalizing the U.S. shipyard industrial base, and strengthening America’s national security. The State of Maine is a shining example of how applying the best commercial practices to government shipbuilding programs can deliver unprecedented results that can be replicated for all government shipbuilding programs.  

“The christening of the State of Maine is a significant milestone in the NSMV program and a source of great pride for everyone at Hanwha Philly Shipyard,” said David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard. “These vessels represent resilience, progress, and the strength of collaboration. Working alongside TOTE Services and MARAD, we are proud to contribute to a mission that supports America’s maritime future. This achievement is made possible by the dedication and craftsmanship of our skilled workforce, whose expertise brings precision and purpose to every ship we build.”

“State of Maine is more than a ship — it’s a strategic investment in the people and infrastructure that keep America’s maritime economy strong,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Our cadets deserve cutting-edge tools and training to become the industry leaders who will keep our nation strong and ready when it matters most. Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, American shipyards can and will produce more big, beautiful ships again.”

Following the christening ceremony, the vessel will be delivered to Maine Maritime Academy in September.  

About the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) NSMV program is designed to provide a purpose-built, state-of-the-art training platform for the state maritime academies in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Texas, and California, respectively.

This next-generation training fleet will address a critical shortage of qualified officers necessary to crew government and commercial-owned sealift ships. In addition to providing world-class training for America’s future mariners, the NSMVs will be available to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in times of need.

The NSMV will feature numerous instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and have space for up to 600 cadets to train in a first-rate maritime academic environment at sea. State maritime academies graduate more than half of all new officers each year—the merchant mariners who help keep cargoes and our economy moving. Many also support U.S. national security by crewing government sealift vessels.

In addition to being a state-of-the-art training and educational platform, each ship will feature modern hospital facilities, a helicopter pad, and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need. Adding to the NSMV’s capability, it will provide needed roll-on/roll-off and container storage capacity for use during disaster relief missions.

Vessel specifications:

● Length: 159.85 m

● Breadth: 27.00 m

● Draft, scantling: 7.50 m

● Total berthing: 760 people

● Speed: 18 kts

● Deadweight: 8,487 MT

About TOTE Services

TOTE Services, LLC (“TOTE Services”) is a leading U.S.-based company that provides ship management, vessel construction management and technical consulting services to governmental and commercial parties. Since 2015, TOTE Services has been a first-mover in clean alternative fuels, having overseen the construction and management of the nation’s first LNG-powered container ships and the first LNG bunker barge. TOTE Services, along with TOTE Maritime Alaska, LLC and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, LLC, are part of the TOTE Group. TOTE Group is a member of the Saltchuk family of companies.

For more information about TOTE Services, please visit www.toteservices.com

About Hanwha Philly Shipyard

Hanwha Philly Shipyard is a leading U.S. shipbuilder with a state-of-the art shipbuilding facility that has earned a reputation as a preferred provider of ocean-going merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships, having delivered around 50% of all large ocean-going U.S. Jones Act commercial ships since 2000.

Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean acquired Philly Shipyard on December 19th, 2024, from Aker ASA, a Norwegian industrial investment company with ownership interests in energy, green technologies and marine biotechnology.  Founded in 1952, Hanwha is South Korea’s seventh-largest conglomerate and ranked in the Fortune Global 500. Hanwha is a multinational company with a robust network of affiliates in the energy, ocean, aerospace, finance and retail & services industries.

For more information about Hanwha Philly Shipyard, please visit https://hanwhaphillyshipyard.com/.

About Maine Maritime Academy

Maine Maritime Academy is a public, co-educational college located in the coastal town of Castine, Maine. Our student population numbers approximately 950 students in courses of study in engineering, management, science, and transportation. Our rigorous courses and experiential programs equip students with the practical skills, knowledge, and training to launch successful careers upon completing an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree.

MMA students benefit from hands-on education, international sea-time aboard the Training Ship State of Maine or the Schooner Bowdoin, cadet shipping aboard commercial vessels, and cooperative education assignments. Our students become world-class mariners and engineers, supply chain managers, logistics professionals, and scientists here in Maine and beyond.

Maine Maritime Academy was ranked the #1 Best Public College on Money magazine’s Best Colleges list in 2014 and 2015. The college’s persistence, retention, and graduation rates are well above national averages. The job-placement rate for MMA graduates is in excess of 90 percent within 90 days of graduation.

Alumni of Maine Maritime Academy work all over the world. The success of our alumni has resulted in a worldwide reputation for excellence and reliability in maritime, business, and scientific fields. The alumni network connects MMA graduates with career opportunities in all of the industries and organizations we serve.

The college’s history dates to 1941, when the Academy was founded by an act of the 90th Maine Legislature on March 21 of that year.

For more information about Maine Maritime Academy, please visit https://mainemaritime.edu/.

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